The zoo is open 365 days a year, and the animals are on exhibit all year-round. Spring and summer are naturally high-attendance seasons, but we encourage guests to visit during fall and winter as well. When the weather cools off, many animals are more active and you’ll encounter fewer crowds.
The zoo is located near numerous
subway and bus stops. You can take the N/R/W or 6 trains, or the M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M30, or Q32 buses.
The Zoo’s Dancing Crane Café features a wide variety of high-quality meals, snacks, beverages, and desserts that include carefully prepared, fresh, and healthy choices. For a lunch brought from home, benches outside of the zoo or in the park make ideal picnic spots.
Visit the Zootique to shop for unique and wild items, including plush animals and children’s books, as well as toys, games, and more. Visiting school groups must be chaperoned while in the shop. A gift cart is stationed outside during the warmer, busier months.
A limited number of free wheelchairs are available for rent on a first come, first served basis.
Yes, admission fees include entrance to the Main Zoo and Children’s Zoo.
Yes, you can
buy your tickets online. Follow the directions to purchase and print out your tickets, which will contain a barcode that can be scanned at the admissions booth.
We accept major credit cards and corporate checks at the booth. School checks are also acceptable.
There is no group rate or student rate. However, the fees for Education Department programs and guided tours for school groups include admission to the zoo.
Read more about our programs and tours.No reservations are required. We do ask that you supply adequate chaperones, or a ratio of 1 adult to 10 children. A member of the admissions staff will take care of your group once you arrive at the gate.
Birthday party programs are available at the Central Park, Queens, and
Prospect Park Zoos. Parties can take place year-round, rain or
shine. Visit our
Birthday Parties page to learn more.
Commercial photography or filming is prohibited without express permission of WCS Public Relations. The PR department can be reached at
sbass@wcs.org or 212-439-6527.
Every year, the Central Park Zoo receives many inquiries from people who would like to donate wild animals or exotic pets; however, the zoo is not able to accept them. If you have an animal in need of a new home, please contact local and regional rescue organizations that specialize in caring for unwanted pets, such as the
ASPCA. Plans for a pet should always include care for its entire lifespan. Remember that exotic animals almost never make good pets.